The Determined Bachelor Read Online Free PDF

indulgently, and in a moment heard a great clamoring in the hallway. The door was thrust open and into the room rushed a boy and a girl of about six and nine. Behind them, in the doorway, stood the nurse holding the hand of a toddling infant.
    â€œCome to me, my precious darlings!” cried Lady Hargate, and the children rushed into her lap. The eldest child, who wore a dirty pinafore, instantly screamed.
    â€œHarry is pulling my ear!” cried she.
    â€œNo such thing,” responded the culprit, with a pout.
    â€œYes he did, Mama! Oh, you wicked boy! I shall pull yours, I shall!”
    And with these words, she pushed him out of her mother’s lap and commenced chasing him about the room. The little boy, screaming with delighted terror, dashed behind a chair, upsetting an incidental table.
    â€œNaughty, naughty children!” cried their mama. “Nurse, cannot you make them stop? Oh, they have mussed my gown most dreadfully.”
    The nurse, who was a large, phlegmatic-looking individual, only shrugged and called out half-heartedly for them to stop their nonsense. Neither mother nor nurse were attended to, however, and Lord Hargate seemed delighted by the display. The screaming continued for some little while longer, and then the baby, who had been hiding his face in the nurse’s skirts, began to sob.
    â€œSee what you have done now, Clarissa!” cried her mother, but making no move either to comfort the youngest child or to put a cease to his sister’s antics. These were only brought to a halt when she accidentally fell across her uncle’s legs, and, sitting up rubbing her knee, stared back at his astonished gaze.
    â€œEnough of your playing, my little darlings,” said her father. “See, here is your uncle, who has come all the way from France to visit us!”
    This news inspired a giggle and another stare. Sir Basil, attempting to hide his dismay, said, “I do not believe you remember me, Clarissa, for you were only four or five when I went abroad.”
    The child stared unblinking back at him and said nothing. Suddenly a strange gurgle erupted from behind the Baronet’s chair, and he looked down to see the boy grinning up at him.
    â€œAnd you must be Harry,” continued the Baronet, still playing the part of the doting uncle. “Does not your sister speak?”
    The children evidently found this question vastly amusing, for they both erupted into laughter and fled from the room.
    â€œWhat very merry children they are,” remarked Sir Basil after a moment, when he had recovered from his shock.
    â€œAh, yes! As merry as possible!” agreed Lord Hargate heartily.
    Lady Hargate looked ready to burst into tears. “Nurse, cried she, “why cannot you make them stop? They are beyond everything! Why, they would not even speak to Sir Basil. And here is Alex, crying. Whatever am I to do?”
    Lord Hargate heaved himself out of his chair and approached the smallest child, whose face was still hidden in the nurse’s skirts. The little boy looked up in dismay and commenced sobbing more loudly than ever.
    â€œLord, I cannot bear another moment!” cried Lady Hargate. “Do take them away, Nurse, or I shall have another attack of nerves!”
    The nurse shrugged and, picking up the child, went out. As soon as the door had closed behind her, Lady Hargate turned to Sir Basil with a peevish look.
    â€œOnly see what I am forced to endure! If you knew what a hardship it is to be a mother, I am sure you would take pity upon me.”
    â€œNonsense, my dear!” came Lord Hargate’s jovial retort. “You know you quite dote upon them. They are very young,and soon shall be as sober as you please. In the meantime, I am very glad of their laughter and games. Well, Basil, what d’you think? Are they not a handsome lot? I do not wonder you desire some of your own!”
    But Sir Basil, feeling rather ill and suddenly more tired than